The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), developed by China, is now available globally. Initially, the system provided regional coverage primarily for the Asia-Pacific area, but it transitioned to global service with the completion of its third phase (BDS-3) in 2020. This phase includes a constellation of satellites that allows for comprehensive global positioning, navigation, and timing services similar to those offered by the U.S. GPS system[1][2][7].
Key Features of BeiDou's Global Service:
- Global Coverage: As of 2020, BeiDou offers full global coverage, making it competitive with other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo[2][3][7].
- Advanced Capabilities: The system features two-way messaging capabilities, enabling users to send short messages even in areas without cellular coverage, which is not available with GPS[1][3].
- Growing Adoption: BeiDou is actively being promoted in various countries, particularly those involved in China's Belt and Road Initiative, where it has been adopted for applications in transportation, agriculture, and military operations[5][8].
While the system is operational globally, its usage may be more prevalent in certain regions due to factors such as local infrastructure and availability of compatible devices. However, it is designed to be accessible to users worldwide who have the appropriate receivers[2][4].
Citations:[1] https://www.gpsworld.com/chinas-beidou-challenges-u-s-gps-dominance/
[2] https://novatel.com/an-introduction-to-gnss/gnss-constellations/beidou
[3] https://payloadspace.com/gps-faces-growing-competition-from-chinas-beidou/
[4] https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6478929/content.html
[5] https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3277511/after-30-years-chinas-beidou-gps-rival-will-world-enter-its-orbit
[6] https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/article/2999161/beidou-chinas-gps-challenger-takes-its-place-on-the-world-stage/
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beidou
[8] https://rntfnd.org/2019/08/22/more-beidou-than-gps-in-130-of-195-countries/
[9] https://english.cas.cn/Special_Reports/rd/2015/202210/t20221017_321661.shtml